| The alarm went off at 7:30 a.m. and Kelci slipped from JC's arms. She brushed her hair and teeth then dressed comfortably in light sweat pants, a sports bra and running shoes before heading to the main building. Johnny smiled at her from behind the glass wall of his office and she waved like she had every morning for the past several days then headed down to the weight room. She flipped on the morning news program and stretched slowly. She set the treadmill on a slow building speed and fell into her routine. Two hours later, she was back in their bedroom. "Josh....Josh...come on, sleepy...," she coaxed gently as she nudged him. He didn't budge so she pulled the blankets off. "Josh....come on, Joshy." "Mmm..." He caught her hand and pulled her down behind him, wrapping her arm over his body. She laughed and propped her head up on her free hand to peer down at him. He faked being asleep and kissed her hand. "Honey, it's 9:30...you want some breakfast before you dance your cute lil' ass off?" "No. I want more time with you...here where it's quiet...and Wade isn't yappin' at me," JC mumbled and licked her middle finger. "That'd be nice, but it might jeopardize our get away next Thursday." "Oh man and stuff!" "Don't whine...it makes you less handsome. Come on. Get up and in the bathroom while I go start breakfast," she said again, failing to achieve full control of her hand. "Josh, you can't shower like this....with my arms around you." "Yes, we could," he grinned and rolled over, quickly licking a little sweat from her breast. "How far did you get in your work-out?" "I ran and did some arm curls. I'll finish after breakfast. Now, come on." "No." "Yes." "No," he stated and rolled her above him. "I'm so glad you're here, baby. I just wish there were more hours in a day so I could be with you more." "If there were more hours, you would have to dance them....at least right now...but we'll get through it....my schedule gets crazy, too." "I know." "And touring is going to be even harder....but I should be able to come out this time because I don't start filming until August," Kelci stated as she sat up and rubbed his bare chest. "But we are both aware that it'll take work. Are you still up for the challenge?" "With a reward like you?...HELL YES!" "Good, now go brush your teeth and get dressed." "Smooch me." "No. Your breath is funky," she teased, but he caught her before she got away and captured her mouth hungrily. "Now I can shower." Kelci headed downstairs and poured his coffee before slicing some fruit. He joined her a few minutes later with minty breath and grabbed his bagel from the toaster as she carried the fruit and coffee to the table. He joined her and they talked a little before he headed out after a long smooch. She cleaned up their dishes then headed over to finish her work out. At 1 p.m., she joined the guys for a quick lunch then left them to their dancing as she headed to shower. She had rented a car and decided to treat herself to a manicure. She dressed in light khaki shorts and a purple tank top with her hair down and headed out. ************ She stopped outside the condo just after 7 that night and carried the groceries inside before starting dinner. JC trudged his way in around 8:30 and she caught him before he flopped on the couch. "Josh, shower then dinner," she reminded as she grabbed the waistband of his sweats, preventing his fall. "Grr!" She laughed and swatted his ass before returning to the stove. Thirty minutes later, the water shut off and she served generous portions of chicken Alfredo on their plates before placing them on the table with their wine, rolls, and a tossed salad. She caught him at the bottom of the stairs and kissed him hard. "Yummy!" "Eleven more days," she reminded as he cupped her ass. "It's all about perspective with you, huh?" "Yes, sir. Come on. Dinner's ready." "You're spoiling me, beautiful," he smiled and sat to eat, the first bit melting in his mouth. "Dayum! Honey, this is delicious." "Thank you, baby. I rented Episode I for tonight since we've watched all the other videos here." "There are tons in the game room and they are free." "Oh," she felt stupid and they ate in silence. He was grumpy like he had been almost every evening. She'd been able to cheer him up for a few minutes, but something always snapped him back. She understood that he was tired, but didn't know how to soothe him. She opened her mouth to ask him when the front door burst open. "Josh, baby." "MOM!" JC cheered and Kelci nearly choked as he rushed to hug his parents. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Come in. Hiya, Dad!" Kelci wasn't exactly sure what she should do as the family greeted each other. "We wanted to surprise you," Roy laughed as he hugged his oldest child. "We know how tired you get when preparing for a tour and when that happens, you neglect your body's need for food. You don't look too bad. Guess we arrived in time," Karen smiled, still not acknowledging the other woman's presence. "Kelci is spoiling me," JC beamed and grabbed an arm each to lead them to his girlfriend. "Mom, Dad....this is Kelci Andrews. Kelci....my parents." "Hello, Kelci. It's nice to meet you," Roy smiled and offered his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Chasez. Did you have a good flight?" "Yes, we did." "Welcome, Mrs. Chasez. Are you hungry?" "Famished," Roy answered as the women shook hands. "Whatever you are cooking smells delicious." "Chicken alfredo. Sit. I'll bring you both a plate. Would you like some wine? Water? Coffee?" "Water please," Karen stated and Roy agreed. Kelci busied herself with preparing their plates as the family chatted easily and happily. The couple seemed to be able to make JC laugh genuinely and his smile seemed permanent. She almost felt like an intruder as she delivered the plates and flatware. "Heather is loving her job," Karen stated then took her plate from Kelci. "Thank you." "Really? That's great and she likes her co-workers?" JC asked as he sat back with a smile. "Very much so," Roy smiled. "Even found a nice young man. They've been to dinner three times." "Really? Is he a good guy?" JC's brotherly instincts came out. "We haven't met him yet, but she says he is. He's head of the company's legal department," Karen informed. "Mmmm...Kelci, this is incredible," Roy complimented. "Thank you, but there's not much to it. Would you like a roll?" The conversation continued on pleasantly without Kelci's interaction. Their closeness and love made her ache for her own parents. She felt tears threaten her eyes and quickly grabbed her plate and the empty salad bowl. She made it to the kitchen before she wiped her eyes and tried to get ahold of herself, failing for a moment. She took a deep breath and wiped her face again before she headed back to get more dishes. "I'll help," Karen started, interrupting her story. "Thank you, but I can handle it and I know Jo...JC is loving this." "Are you sure?" "Positive. Head on into the living room," Kelci smiled, but didn't meet anyone's eyes. JC lead his parents into the living room and Kelci went the opposite direction. She did the dishes and pulled the chocolate, peanut butter pie from the refrigerator. She carefully cut four pieces and added the chocolate syrup to the top. Very carefully she carried three of them with forks to the living room. "Peanut butter pie?" "Yes. You said you liked it....and..." Kelci shrugged. "Thanks, C. It looks yummy," JC smiled from his position on the couch while his parents sat in the arm chairs. "Coffee, tea or anything?" she offered, but they all declined and she retrieved her own piece before JC pulled her onto his lap. "Sit with me, baby." "OK, but I'll sit behind you so you can stretch out." "OK." They switched around and he leaned back into her, swiftly taking her free hand to kiss it as his Dad talked about his Grandfather's health. The conversation drifted from one family member to the next as they ate the pie and Kelci just listened. Within an hour, JC's head was back against her chest and he had wrapped her arms around his shoulder, one of his hands holding them in place while the other rubbed her thigh. The clock read nearly 11, but she hated to be rude so she stayed put. She worked one of her hands free and combed her fingers through his curls. "Baby, I'm tired," he yawned and snuggled further into her. "I should say so." "Honey, head to bed. We'll see you in the morning," Karen smiled and stood to gather the dishes. "That was delicious, Kelci." "Thank you. I can handle the dishes." "Non-sense. I've got it. Go to bed." "Yes, ma'am," Kelci replied politely, her Southern-ness coming through. "Good night, Mrs. Chasez." "Good night." "I'm so glad you are here," JC beamed and hugged his Dad then his Mom. "So are we," Roy smiled. "Good night, Kelci." "Good night." The four of them headed upstairs and JC went into the bathroom as Kelci changed in their room. She decided on a baggy t-shirt to sleep in and placed a pair of boxers within arms reach for the morning then crawled into bed facing the window on her side. JC turned the lights off and fell in beside her. Less than 10 seconds later, his hand snaked over her hip and he kissed her neck once her curls were pushed out of the way. "You've been so quiet tonight. You OK?" he asked as he tucked his chin between her neck and shoulder. "I'm OK. I was just trying to stay out of the way so you could enjoy your parents more." "I can enjoy them in my sleep." "I bet," she giggled and he settled down, pulling her back to him until her round little bottom was snugly in his lap. "You're still sad." "Tired. I'm tired." "I'm too tired to pester you, but I know you're lying," he stated and kissed the back of her neck. "Good night, baby. I love you." "Mmm...I do, too. Do you want to get up earlier tomorrow?" "Mmm....yeah...9ish?" "OK," she said and turned the alarm on for the 7:30 a.m. wake up. "Good night, baby." |